Finland Times

 

Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen. Photo – Lehtikuva.

The Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen, on Wednesday asked explanation from one of his cabinet colleagues regarding the reported obstacle created by an official of her state department to lodge criminal complaint against Greenpeace activists.

 

The minister for international development Heidi Hautala, also responsible for the corporate governance, has admitted that an official of her department created the obstacle to take action against Greenpeace activists when they took over the state-owned Arctia Shipping icebreakers in Helsinki last year.

 

“It is of course a serious matter, if political decision affected the decision of police regarding making a criminal report,” said the Prime Minister, adding that he would consider the matter seriously.

 

The issue came to public when Finnish language newspaper Iltalehti published a report in this regard against Hautala, a leader of the Green party, one of the components of the six-party alliance government.

 

Katainen said that he had already discussed the matter with Green party Chairman Ville Niinistö.

 

In addition to seeking clarification from his cabinet colleague, the Prime Minister also sought statement from the corporate governance unit.

 

Heidi Hautala, Minister of International Development. Photo – AFP/Lehtikuva.

Terming the allegation as a vital issue, Katainen told Niinistö that it should be clarified within quickest possible time.

 

The issue of Heidi Hautala raised question of how much politicians are using their power to insist the police administration.

 

The action of Heidi Hautala is probably going to be sent to the Attorney General for further investigation.

 

Hautala said that a senior official of the department, Pekka Timonen, had told the ship authority that state-owned companies should have more tolerance towards the NGO activities than normal enterprises.

 

The former chair of the Green League admitted that she was aware of his actions and supported the move.